A partnership “bound” by knowledge

Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2015

One of the University of Ottawa Library’s oldest and rarest books—Plato’s Works, published in 1517. By Dave Weatherall

On June 23, 2015, Librarian and Archivist of Canada Guy Berthiaume, University Librarian Leslie Weir and University of Ottawa President Allan Rock will sign a strategic partnership that outlines how Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and the University of Ottawa will collaborate over the next five in several key areas, including expertise and knowledge sharing, research and technology support and outreach initiatives.

“I’m extremely pleased that Library and Archives Canada has shown its willingness to work together by signing this first memorandum of understanding with the University. And I’m doubly happy it’s with the University of Ottawa,” says Berthiaume. “The innovation and the skill level at the Library and the School of Information Studies are well known across the country. I’m convinced this new partnership will position both our institutions at the cutting edge in library and archival sciences.”

As an example of the collaborations to be made possible by this partnership, LAC will work with students and staff at the University, providing advice and offering expertise, to ensure the preservation of one of the University of Ottawa Library’s oldest and rarest books—Platonis Opera, a collection of Plato’s works, published in 1517 and pictured above.

“This unique collaboration will allow both Library and Archives Canada and the University of Ottawa to leverage the complimentary expertise and resources that exist at both of our great institutions,” says Weir. “I want to sincerely thank our partners at LAC for choosing the University of Ottawa as their first partner for this unique type of agreement.”

A coordination committee composed of four members from the University and four from LAC will recommend and evaluate possible joint projects, including CO-OP and Work-Study student placements.

“Being a bilingual research-intensive university makes us a natural fit with Library and Archives Canada,” says the University of Ottawa president, Allan Rock. “Our researchers and graduate students will enjoy greater access to the LAC’s wealth of indispensible resources and staff to support their research efforts—especially in the social sciences and humanities.”